Commelina dianthifolia explained

Commelina dianthifolia, known as the birdbill dayflower, is a perennial herb native to mountains in the south-western United States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) and northern Mexico.[1] Petals are blue while sepals are green. The inflorescence is a scorpioid cyme and it is subtended by a boat-like spathe.

Uses

An infusion of plant used by Keres people as a strengthener for weakened tuberculosis patients.[2] The Ramah Navajo give a cold simple or compound infusion to livestock as an aphrodisiac.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=CODI4&display=63 Commelina dianthifolia Delile - PLANTS Profile. USDA
  2. Swank, George R. 1932 The Ethnobotany of the Acoma and Laguna Indians. University of New Mexico, M.A. Thesis (p. 38)
  3. Vestal, Paul A. 1952 The Ethnobotany of the Ramah Navaho. Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology 40(4):1-94 (p. 19)